According
to ITAR-TASS citing a source in Russian defense
industry newest Russian strike and defensive weapon
systems including supersonic cruise missiles will
be fitted on all four Mistral-class amphibious
assault ships built for Russian Navy in France
and Russia.

The
Defense Acquisitions Council of the Indian Ministry
of Defense has launched a procurment process for
nine Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance (MRMR)
aircraft for the Indian Navy. The Acceptance of
Necessity this week came after the evaluation
of data provided by manufacturers in response
to the Request for Information issued a year ago.

The
Navy's first Mobile User Objective System satellite
was launched Feb. 24 from Space Launch Complex
41. MUOS is a next-generation narrowband tactical
communications system designed to improve communications
for U.S. forces on the move. MUOS will provide
military users simultaneous voice, video and data
capability by leveraging 3G mobile communications
technology.

Military
Sealift Command and MV-22 Osprey Make History During Bold Alligator
2012

The
U.S. Navy issued the following press release:
For the first time in an at-sea exercise, an MV-22
Osprey landed aboard a Military Sealift Command
(MSC) ship while conducting a proof of concept
test during Bold Alligator 2012 (BA12) Feb. 9.

Images
of the next AIP Dolphin class submarine have surfaced
as the vessel was getting prepared for its launch
in the water at the German shipbuilder Howaldtswerke-Deutsche
Werft (HDW) shipyard in Kiel. This is the first
of at least two (and up to three) new generation
of Dolphin class submarine for the Israeli Navy.

The
Polish government has terminated a warship building
project seen as a drain on the nation’s
resources, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on
Friday. “Vast amounts of money are still
being spent on the Polish military that simply
have nothing to do with defense,” Polish
Radio External Service quoted him as saying.

A new
generation of 37,000-tonne tankers is to be ordered
for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) to support
future Royal Navy operations around the globe,
the MOD has announced on 22 feb. Daewoo Shipbuilding
and Marine Engineering (DSME) is the Government's
preferred bidder for the deal.

Royal
Air Force test pilot marks milestone in the F-35C Joint Combat Aircraft

On
Feb. 21, Royal Air Force (RAF) Squadron Leader
Jim Schofield became the United Kingdom’s
first military test pilot to fly the F-35C, the
carrier variant of the Lightning II Joint Strike
Fighter (JSF) aircraft.

DCNS
has achieved formal qualification of the FREMM
frigate Aquitaine's flight deck for operations
with the Lynx helicopter. This milestone was reached
several months ahead of schedule after a successful
deck landing campaign at sea, organised by the
French defence procurement agency (DGA) in early
February. Trials were conducted with a Lynx helicopter
operated by the French Navy.

MBDA
Aster surface to air missile to be tested against supersonic target

The
Marine Nationale (French Navy) will test the naval
version of the Aster 30 against a US made GQM
163A Coyote simulating a sea skimming supersonic
anti-ship missile. This follows the succesful
interception of an Israeli made Black Sparrow
missile (simulating a SCUD missile) by Aster SAM.

Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), the leading shipbuilder
and naval support services provider in the Gulf
region launched "Mezyad", the fourth
vessel of the Baynunah Corvette Class Program
for the UAE Navy and the third vessel under the
Baynunah fleet constructed by ADSB. The vessel
was launched in the presence of senior officials
from the UAE Navy and ADSB.

Nisida,
Naples 14 February 2012: During the night between
the 13 and 14 February, five NATO submarines slipped
their moorings and disappeared into the winter
waters off Sicily. At the same time 12 surface
vessels steamed out to the exercise area to begin
a complex game of cat and mouse which will last
until 24 February. Proud Manta 12, NATO’s
largest annual anti-submarine exercise, is underway.

Raytheon
Delivers First International Maritime Surveillance Radar to Boeing for
Indian Navy P-8I

Raytheon
Company (NYSE: RTN) has delivered the first international
version of its APY-10 surveillance radar to Boeing.
The radar will be installed on the P-8I aircraft
Boeing is building for the Indian navy.

A
keel-laying ceremony for the first 22DDH helicopter
carrier for the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force
(JMSDF) was held at IHI Marine United's (IHIMU's)
Yokohama on 27 January 2012. Japan already has
two helicopter carriers -- the Hyuga deployed
in March 2009 and the Ise deployed in March 2011
-- but the new vessel will be bigger.

The
Russian Navy has decided against construction
of Lada class submarines (Project 677) and will
instead modernize its existing boats, Navy Commander-in-Chief
Adm. Vladimir Vysotsky said in an interview with
RIA Novosti.

The
Iranian Navy expanded the fleet of its submarines
after it received two more Ghadir-class submarines.
Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari
said on Thursday that the two new submarines have
been added to the submarine fleet of the Islamic
Republic of Iran's Navy.